How Do You Clean Mold Out of Carpet for Good Indoor Air Quality

Mold growing in your carpet presents a serious threat to your health and that of your family. You might notice a strange smell in the room and realize that the source of the issue is deep down in the fabric. Mold loves humid conditions, and the fibers in carpets hold onto moisture, allowing it to grow rapidly. Various reasons can cause mold in carpets—no matter the source, you’ll need to go deeper than a quick vacuuming to remove it.

This guide will teach you how to remove mold from your carpet and the steps to take to decide whether it should be replaced or cleaned. You'll also discover how to use air scrubbers for mold, like the 550 CFM HEPA Air Scrubber, to purify the air.

Is Carpet Mold Dangerous?

Yes, it can. Breathing in mold spores increases the risk of health problems indoors. Moisture-retaining carpets become a breeding ground for mold spores, easily spreading to other areas of your house.

Mold can lead to various health problems in people with allergies or respiratory issues. Young, elderly, or those with a weakened immune system are the most at risk.

Beyond harming your health, mold erodes carpets and eventually damages underlying flooring. Left unaddressed, mold grows deeper and is harder to get rid of.

What Gets Mold Out of Carpet?

Scrubbing and vacuuming alone will not eliminate mold from your carpet. To effectively remove mold, you must deal with both the mold itself and the spores circulating in the air.

Here’s a simplified approach:

Dry the Area Completely: Mold thrives in moisture. Aim to dry the area completely before starting the cleaning process.

Apply an Antifungal Cleaner: Select a cleaner designed to eliminate mold while being safe for your carpet. Never use bleach on your carpet since it may ruin the fabric and alter its appearance.

Scrub with a Brush: Use a soft-bristled brush to work the mold out of the carpet. Scrubbing gently and wearing the appropriate safety gear will prevent the spread of the spores.

Extract Contaminants: Clean the area with a steam cleaner or hot water extractor to eliminate mold, dirt, and any leftover moisture.

Run an Air Scrubber: An 83-gallon HEPA air scrubber helps catch mold spores that may be released while cleaning. This step ensures that the mold doesn't return to the carpet.

Dry Again Thoroughly: After cleaning, make sure the area remains dry for at least 24 hours. Leaving any leftover moisture can lead to mold's return.

How to Identify Mold in Carpet

Sometimes, mold will be visible as slimy, colored patches. The mold is usually hidden and embedded in the carpet’s interior. Here are the warning signs:

• Musty or earthy odor

• Discoloration (gray, brown, green spots)

• Parts of the carpet feel wet or spongy to the touch

• Noticing more frequent allergy or asthma flare-ups inside

• Cracks or looseness at the perimeter of the carpet

If the carpet’s backing or padding is contaminated, you’ll likely need to replace the whole carpet.

What Situations Call for Using an Air Scrubber?

Mold can continue to float around your home after you’ve cleaned the carpet. This is where an air scrubber becomes useful. Air scrubbers, particularly HEPA-filtered models such as the 550 CFM HEPA Air Scrubber, filter in polluted air through several layers, and spread fresh, safe air back into your living space.

• An air scrubber is a crucial tool if you’re dealing with mold growth

• During mold removal projects

• After floods or water leaks

• If those living in the house experience any symptoms associated with mold exposure.

• Using an air scrubber in humid areas like a basement may be wise.

• Running an air scrubber alongside a thorough cleanup eliminates mold spores that travel through your home on the breeze.

How Do You Remove Mold Spores From the Air?

The research shows that the best method for killing mold spores in the air includes removing them with a filter and controlling the humidity level.

Using these three approaches provides the most outstanding results:

• HEPA Air Scrubbers: These devices catch particles as small as 0.3 microns, including mold spores, so they don’t circulate in your living spaces.

• UV Light Purifiers: This destroys the genetic material of mold spores, making them harmless to your health.

• Dehumidifiers: Lowering humidity to 50% or less will reduce mold growth in your home.

• Air Purifying Sprays: Certain products are designed to help lower the levels of airborne mold spores, but shouldn’t be used instead of proper filtration.

Sprays and foggers may temporarily lower spore counts, but the most dependable method for removing them is using a HEPA scrubber to clean your living space.

Should You Replace Moldy Carpet?

You may be able to clean and restore the carpet when the mold is localized and its source isn’t deeper than the carpet itself. However, if:

• A section that's larger than 10 feet in size has been contaminated with mold.

• You can tell it’s time to replace the carpet if the underside has a moldy odor.

• It’s been more than 48 hours since the carpet was soaked.

The safest decision is to have the carpet removed and replaced. Mold that grows through the padding into the subfloor may cause additional damage unless fully eliminated.

Before you lay new carpet, the subfloor must be thoroughly dried, treated with an antifungal cleaning product, and ventilated with air scrubbers or fans.

How to Prevent Mold in Carpet After Cleaning

After cleaning the carpet, take action to keep mold from coming back.

• Control Humidity: Use a dehumidifier to ensure your indoor humidity stays below 50%.

• Improve Ventilation: Let fresh air in or run fans to promote air circulation.

• Fix Leaks Promptly: Repair any leaks in your plumbing or foundation so they don't cause excess moisture.

• Clean Regularly: Utilize a HEPA-filter vacuum and deep clean the carpet at least twice yearly.

• Use Mold-Resistant Carpet Pads: They have antimicrobial characteristics that inhibit mold development.

Combining these actions with the periodic use of air scrubbers for mold eliminates ideal conditions for mold’s development.

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of mold in carpeting isn’t easy, but you can often solve the problem without replacing the entire carpet. By following this strategy—drying, scrubbing, air scrubbing, and preventing further growth—you’ll eliminate the mold and safeguard your home’s indoor air.

Cleaning with soapy water and an air scrubber that filters out tiny particles improves your home’s air quality. Once you’ve eliminated mold, maintaining proper ventilation and managing humidity will keep it from returning.

Clean up mold in your carpet before it can spread. Don’t wait too long; take the proper steps and enjoy fresh air again.